Construction in an important industry in the UK. It employs approximately 2 million people, (more than 6% of the workforce), and contributes close to £100 billion to the economy each year. Though the industry is particularly sensitive to economic fluctuations, and experienced a significant slump during the recent recession, it has since rebounded considerably and is expected to continue expanding employment at a rate of about 7% for the next few years.
Despite being somewhat stressful work, which often involves high levels of responsibility, most employees find construction a satisfying profession that yields palpable results. Positions range from manual labour to administrative roles, and the industry is notable for providing many opportunities for merit-based upward mobility. Hourly wages are typical for a majority of positions, and experienced individuals usually earn about £15-£20 per hour, while new workers tend to make between £12 and £17. For technical jobs in areas such as electrical engineering, civil engineering, and urban planning, along with managerial and project management roles, annual salaries can range from £40-£80K. The overall average in the industry is about £35K.
Most entry-level positions require no degrees or certifications, but bachelors and post-graduate degrees are necessary for employment in technical and administrative roles. Presently, the UK's largest employers are BalFour Beatty, Carilion, and Laing O'Rourke.